Process
I love my process above all. Not just because it is familiar and directs my mind, but mostly because of what I learn about the product, the business, or the production.
I do this with every project, no matter how big or small it is; there are no shortcuts on the path you have to walk with your client. The only difference is the time it takes. If you skip the process, you could fail to realize the product’s potential.
The process has a few simple loops:
1. Coffee first: define the project (what to do, the expectations, and the scope of it) with your client.
2. Research on both sides (client and yours)—this gives better clarity; sometimes we do workshops to align the direction.
3. Discuss the direction. We don’t like surprises; we want to be on the same page with the client all the time.
4. Prepare the first sketches and stay within the direction frame.
5. Mockups: test if it works.
6. Deciding the solution is one of the most demanding steps. The only thing that helps is the experience we have.
7. Rethink and improve. Your mind should be open; make the loops if necessary.
8. Finalization: make sure you are on top of everything: all the executions and all the production people involved.
The sketches we made on the computer are only halfway done. As you can see, I don’t like to call it design; most of the time, the sketch will change and adapt through the process. I listen to the craftspeople I meet along the way and make changes to improve the solution. The experience I gather with every project comes from craftsmen who know more than me.
Here is what I learned from the process:
A good process will give you satisfaction.
The looped process will give you experience.
The failed process will teach you lessons.
The finished process will give you the best projects.
Don’t miss the next essay. Signup for our newsletter
⸻ Newsletter signup
How Much Does Branding Cost?
Branding cost confusion happens when clients focus on price instead of value. Most businesses ask "how much does branding cost" because numbers feel concrete while branding cost confusion makes the intangible feel uncomfortable.
Self-Doubt in the Design Process – It Means You’re Halfway There
Self doubt in design process affects every creative professional, from beginners to seasoned experts. This uncertainty isn't a character flaw or professional weakness—it's actually a critical indicator that you're moving beyond surface-level solutions into meaningful territory where self doubt in design process becomes your compass toward better work.
You thought it would hold.
You built something solid. Then it moved to other hands. Now watch it fall apart, one small decision at a time.
The highest award for a designer: finished work, payment, and client bragging
Designer success metrics often focus on prestigious awards, but the most meaningful achievements are surprisingly practical. Designer success metrics that truly matter include project completion, fair compensation, and client satisfaction that leads to genuine recommendations.
First You Learn Than You Earn
The designer learning process extends far beyond software tutorials and technical skills. While many focus on mastering tools, the real designer learning process involves developing your ability to observe, absorb, and make informed decisions. This endless journey of growth separates true designers from mere tool operators.
Work For Free
Designers work for free questions reveal a fundamental misunderstanding of creative value. The assumption that creativity costs nothing persists despite decades of professional design practice, leaving designers work for free situations fraught with complexity.
Good design is for good clients
Good design clients are essential partners in creating successful outcomes. At Visual Brain Gravity in Ljubljana, we've learned that the best projects emerge when good design clients become genuine friends who share mutual trust and understanding.
Vibe coding
What happens when a design studio throws out the development rulebook and builds tools based purely on what feels right and works?